Zhu started the translation by regulating the proper nouns and terms. For that, he and his team made 11 tabulations, including turning all the miles into meters so the measurements would make more sense to Chinese readers.

The team combines translators who are specializing in English and art studies. When it comes to important terms, they trace the words back to their French, Italian or Latin origins.

"I remember some of our co-workers were very young when they worked with us, and now some of them are principals or professors," Zhu says.

Janson's History of Art covers Western art from the prehistoric ages to the late 20th century. It has been a classic teaching material since it was first published in 1962.

With 1,450 illustrations, the book is known for being complete and precise. Every part ends with a summary that is so concise and insightful that, even for professionals like Zhu, it is helpful in recollecting thoughts on the relevant history.

The book is interesting for both general readers and academics, Zhu says.

Born in 1957, Zhu has a doctorate degree in art history from the University of Heidelberg, and is currently an art professor at Peking University.

He has been widely involved in art exhibitions and art reviews at home or abroad, including a TV project looking at "when the Louvre meets the Forbidden City".

At the Louvre Museum he and the team photographed Nike de Samothrace, an image which later became the cover of the Chinese version of Janson's History of Art.

"Because it's beautiful even when partly broken. It has an inner beauty in the way it's being structured," Zhu says.